Maria Di Pasquale

Influenza vaccination among healthcare workers and absenteeism from work due to influenza-like illness in a teaching hospital in Palermo

Background : Annual flu vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended worldwide as the best way to prevent influenza and to avoid its transmission. However, in several European Countries, vaccination rate among HCWs is still less than 25%. The aim of this study was to determine the HCW vaccination coverage during a three year period in a large University Hospital, identifying socio demographic and occupational variables involved in the decision to accept influenza vaccination. Moreover, for the 2007-2008 season, we also assessed the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in reducing influenza-related absenteeism. Methods : During three consecutive influenza seasons (from 2005-2006 to 2007-2008), a cross-sectional study was carried out on all HCWs employed in the “Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico” (AOUP) of Palermo (Italy). Socio-demographic and occupational data of HCWs were collected from administrative hospital personnel records and included gender, age, birthplace, residence, profession and the workplace unit. In addition, during the 2007-2008 season, a retrospective study was conducted to evaluate absence from work due to influenza–like illness (ILI) in vaccinated versus unvaccinated personnel. Results : A total of 7,848 HCW-years were observed and 881 vaccines were administered during the study period. Vaccination rate declined from 14.7% in 2005-2006 to 8.2% in 2007-2008 (Chi-square for trend=53.6, p<0.001). Coverage was generally higher among older and male HCWs whereas nurses and workers in surgical areas had lower vaccination rates. In the 2007-2008 season, absenteeism due to ILI in the vaccinated group was significantly less common than unvaccinated HCWs (3.3% vs 7.1%; p=0.04). Conclusions : Our experience encourages flu vaccination of HCWs and accentuates the importance of annual influenza vaccination programs for healthcare personnel.

Body mass index and factors associated with overweight and obesity: a crosssectional in a small city of Western Sicily (Italy)

Background : although the epidemiological features of overweight and obesity have been well described, especially for very populous urban areas, less evidences are available for small urban areas. The aim of the present work was to assess BMI and factors associated with overweight and obesity in a representative sample of general population of a small city of Western Sicily (Italy). Methods : four hundred and eleven randomly selected adult subjects from general population living in a small Sicilian city with 7 144 inhabitants were interviewed by a standardized questionnaire investigating life-styles, eating habits, anthropometric measurements (weight, height and BMI) and socio-economic deprivation. Results : the standardized prevalence of overweight and obesity were 43.8% and 18.3%, respectively. The multivariate analysis has indicated an increased risk of BMI≥25 in subjects 40-59 years old (OR=2.3; 95% CI=1.2-4.4) in comparison with 18-39 years old, in males (OR=2.8; 95% CI=1.6-4.7) in comparison with females, and in participants who had a higher socio-economic deprivation (OR=1.3; 95% CI=1.1-1.7). Conclusions : in small urban areas some demographic factors and socio-economic deprivation can be considered important risk factors for increased BMI also after controlling for the most common confounding factors.

Evaluation of radon levels in indoor gymnasia of Palermo (Sicily) and Sassari (Sardinia)

Background : In the last decades, there has been increased worldwide interest in the management of health risks from indoor radon. Methods : From 2006 to 2008, a survey on air radon levels was carried out in a total of 57 indoor gymnasia respectively located in the urban area of Palermo (Sicily) and Sassari (Sardinia). Results : The indoor radon levels were generally low with different geometric means in the two geographic areas (14.3 Bq/m3 in Palermo and 36 Bq/m3 in Sassari, respectively). Overall, in both groups increasing values of radon were found during the night and the early morning, with radon concentrations significantly lower during working time than at other times. The analysis of structural parameters showed that direct contact with the soil significantly correlated with increased levels of radon in gymnasia located in Palermo’s area (p<0.05). Furthermore, higher radon levels in Sicilian structures were also associated, although not significantly, with lack of sumps (19.3 vs 12.9 Bq/m3), location below the ground level (18.8 vs 8.7 Bq/m3), lack of windows (25 vs 13.2 Bq/m3), presence of forced ventilation (15.5 vs 7.3 Bq/m3) and with cracks or moisture tracks (15.7 vs 13.2 Bq/m3). Conclusions : Radon tends to accumulate in indoor sites and it’s monitoring, especially in buildings with potentially overcrowded conditions, could be of public health interest. Mitigation measures and minimization of the number of structural and functional risk parameters should be strongly encouraged in order to limit radon accumulation especially in countries with higher radium concentration in the soil.